Donald L. Roberts Collection of Music of the Southwest and Mexico
Collection
Identifier: MU-14
Scope and Content
This collection of field and commercial recordings was donated to the UNM Archive of Southwest Music by Donald L. Roberts and offers a wide variety of music selections collected in the 1960s. Most of the collection includes interesting commentary about these songs in Spanish and English.
The majority of the items are Navajo chants, songs, dances and healing ceremonies from Crownpoint, New Mexico. There are sections of dialogue and singing by John Nez, a Navajo medicine man, who discusses the use of sand paintings and prayer for healing. Included are English translations. A later section features contemporary Navajo songs and dances. The collection also includes recordings of Hopi, Pueblo, Ute, Navajo, Apache and Kiowa songs and dances with discussions about their meanings.
There are recordings of a Matachines dance from San Juan Pueblo, and a Spanish Los Pastores program performed at the Guadalupe Church, in Taos, N.M. The last section contains traditional Mexican folksongs in Spanish as well as French and Italian tunes performed by the University of Chihuahua Grupo Folklórico. Donald L. Roberts donated more reel-to-reel recordings in June 2018. All but two reels were reformated and added to the collection as Cds. 11 to 16 A and 16 B. The two remaining reels contain duplicates of recordings by John S. Candelario and John H. Green - that were already in the collection. The Roberts 2018 donation also included an original album, with a color cover, of four long play (gramophone) music records - entitled "Indian Songs of the Southwest" by John S. Candelario Productions. These four have Native American Apache, Hopi, Navajo and Taos Pueblo songs. The John H. Green recording has songs by Tarascan, Yaqui and Chichimeca natives. The archival Cds and Candelario lps have been retained in the Archival CD area. Forms part of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music.
The majority of the items are Navajo chants, songs, dances and healing ceremonies from Crownpoint, New Mexico. There are sections of dialogue and singing by John Nez, a Navajo medicine man, who discusses the use of sand paintings and prayer for healing. Included are English translations. A later section features contemporary Navajo songs and dances. The collection also includes recordings of Hopi, Pueblo, Ute, Navajo, Apache and Kiowa songs and dances with discussions about their meanings.
There are recordings of a Matachines dance from San Juan Pueblo, and a Spanish Los Pastores program performed at the Guadalupe Church, in Taos, N.M. The last section contains traditional Mexican folksongs in Spanish as well as French and Italian tunes performed by the University of Chihuahua Grupo Folklórico. Donald L. Roberts donated more reel-to-reel recordings in June 2018. All but two reels were reformated and added to the collection as Cds. 11 to 16 A and 16 B. The two remaining reels contain duplicates of recordings by John S. Candelario and John H. Green - that were already in the collection. The Roberts 2018 donation also included an original album, with a color cover, of four long play (gramophone) music records - entitled "Indian Songs of the Southwest" by John S. Candelario Productions. These four have Native American Apache, Hopi, Navajo and Taos Pueblo songs. The John H. Green recording has songs by Tarascan, Yaqui and Chichimeca natives. The archival Cds and Candelario lps have been retained in the Archival CD area. Forms part of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music.
Dates
- 1964-1968
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
CD 1 is unavailable for listening or copying at this time. The rest of the collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Songs from the Pueblos of Laguna and Santa Clara are not to be copied. Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.
Biography / History
Donald L. Roberts was born in 1938 and grew up in Dodge City, Kansas. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and received a degree in music theory in Kansas. He graduated with a Masters in Ethnomusicology in 1963 from the University of Michigan.
Roberts worked at the University of New Mexico, Fine Arts Library, 1963-1968. In 1964, he helped establish the Archives of Southwestern Music at the Fine Arts Library. Roberts was active in many library and music organizations and played bassoon in the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra. In 1969 Roberts transferred to Northwestern University, where he was director of the music library and taught in the school of music. He had a distinguished career and made many contributions in the fields of music, ethnomusicology, and music librarianship. He retired from Northwestern in 2002. Roberts published a number of chapters and articles regarding German music, Native American music, working with sound archives, school music programs and music reference materials.
Roberts worked at the University of New Mexico, Fine Arts Library, 1963-1968. In 1964, he helped establish the Archives of Southwestern Music at the Fine Arts Library. Roberts was active in many library and music organizations and played bassoon in the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra. In 1969 Roberts transferred to Northwestern University, where he was director of the music library and taught in the school of music. He had a distinguished career and made many contributions in the fields of music, ethnomusicology, and music librarianship. He retired from Northwestern in 2002. Roberts published a number of chapters and articles regarding German music, Native American music, working with sound archives, school music programs and music reference materials.
Extent
17 Cassettes (17 cassettes and one folder with Rathbun notes)
Abstract
The collection contains recordings of Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo songs, as well as a few Apache, Ute, and Kiowa songs. A major part deals with the history and use of sand paintings, native medicine and star beliefs. There are also Matachines dances, a Los Pastores program and a concert of songs performed by the University of Chihuahua Folkloric group. The collection includes detailed explanations of the selections.
Processing Information
Cassettes reformatted to CD in June 2011. Additional reels in June 2023.
NOTE: The order of items on the CDs matches the order of items in the list below. However, due to the reformatting process, CD tracks do not necessarily start or stop at the same events as the list below.
NOTE: The order of items on the CDs matches the order of items in the list below. However, due to the reformatting process, CD tracks do not necessarily start or stop at the same events as the list below.
- Christmas plays, Spanish -- New Mexico
- Hopi Indians -- Music
- Indians of North America -- Songs and music.
- John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music
- Matachines (Dance)
- Medicine Man
- Music -- Mexico -- 20th century
- Navajo Indians -- Music
- Nez, John -- interviewee
- Pueblo Indians -- New Mexico -- Music
- Sand paintings
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Donald L. Roberts Collection of Music of the Southwest and Mexico, 1964-1968
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451